Santa Rosa County firefighters worked throughout the early morning hours Wednesday to extinguish a house fire on Navarre Beach that was caused by a lightning strike.
The home, located at 8204 Gulf Boulevard on Navarre Beach, caught fire around 2:30 a.m. as lightning storms rolled through the area. Navarre Beach Ladder 49, Chief 49, Holley Navarre Engine 45 and 41, Florosa Engine 53 and Avalon Rescue 12 responded to the scene.
A single occupant, the homeowner, was inside when the fire began. Navarre Beach Fire Rescue Chief Danny Fureigh said the homeowner heard a “large explosion” and then immediately left the home and called 911.
No injuries were reported. Fureigh said the home suffered damage to approximately 50% of its structure.
Annie Blanks can be reached at ablanks@pnj.com or 850-435-8632.